Japan bookings to the United States decreased 10 to 15 percent on average in the third quarter of 2009, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce sponsored Japan Travel Trade Barometer. None of the Japan trade reported an increase.

Fourth Quarter 2009: Projected to Continue to Decline
The majority, 78 percent of the Japan travel trade projected bookings to the United States to decrease in the fourth quarter of 2009 compared to the fourth quarter of 2008.

First Quarter 2010: Projected Bookings to be Lower
A slight majority, 52 percent of the Japan firms that promote and sell Japan travel projected a decrease in bookings to the United States for the first quarter of 2010 compared to last year.

Travel Deterrents and Motivators
- The primary drivers for the expected decline for travel from Japan to the United States are concerns related to the economy, airfare/fuel surcharges and pandemic/epidemic fears (e.g., H1N1 Flu).
- The travel trade reported that the exchange rate was the strongest motivator for travel through first quarter 2010.

Total Japan Arrivals to the United States: Third Quarter 2009
Third quarter 2009 arrivals from Japan totaled 849,687, down five percent compared to third quarter 2008. In July 2009, Japan arrivals totaled 244,412, down 15 percent when compared to July 2008. Visitation improved slightly in August 2009, totaling 295,840, down only eight percent when compared to August 2008. In September 2009, arrivals from Japan registered their first increase in 15 months reaching 309,435, up eight percent when compared to September 2008.